Gondola shelf system displaying both signage and product

ABSTRACT

A gondola shelving product and signage display system allows both product and the signage to be projected into the store aisle for potential customers to view and purchase. The signage is placed at about 90 degrees to the aisle pathway, making it difficult for customers to miss. Product is prominently displayed in the aisle space and can be replenished quickly on a preloaded cartridge basis by store employees. The gondola shelving display system provides a flexible, low cost means to display smaller, highly profitable items. The gondola shelving display system can use various attachment mechanisms for attachment to the gondola shelving.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to gondola shelf systems and, more particularly, to a gondola shelf system for displaying both signage and product.

Small products often become lost on store shelves, adversely impacting sales. Moreover, signage is often separate from the product being displayed. When signage sits parallel to the customer's path it often fails to catch a prospective customer's attention.

Certainly systems exist to display products by hanging them from the face of the gondola shelves. Such displays orient the products parallel to the gondola shelves and therefore often fail to catch a consumer's eye. Signage space for small products becomes a premium as it too appears along the length of the shelving. Moreover, most conventional product displays must be individually and manually replenished; a time consuming function. In addition to being time consuming to replenish, current displays are often inflexible relative to the type of product that can be displayed.

As can be seen, there is a need for a flexible gondola shelf system that can display product on a preloaded cartridge basis and provide signage oriented to face oncoming foot traffic; perpendicular to the shelving.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a bracket assembly comprises a main body; a mounting portion extending from a rear end of the main body; a swing arm hinged to the front end of the main body, the swing arm is movable between an open and a closed configuration; with a latching mechanism to hold it in the closed position. When in a closed position, a channel is formed between the bracket main body and the hinged swing arm, the channel communicating with the front end of the main body. Within the channel is a sign retention mechanism operable to retain a sign when the swing arm is in the closed configuration. In another aspect of the present invention, a bracket assembly comprises a main body; a mounting portion extending form a rear end of the main body; a swing arm hingedly attached to a front end of the main body, the swing arm movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration; a channel formed between a sign mount portion and a main bracket portion of the main body, the channel communicating with the front end of the main body; a replenishment door movable between an open position and a closed position, the open position permitting access to the channel from the front end of the main body, the closed position preventing removal of a loop end of a product display hanger; a latch extending from a distal end of the swing arm, the latch fitting into a slot formed in the main body when the swing arm is in the closed configuration; and a sign retention mechanism operable to retain a sign between a swing arm inside face of the swing arm and a main body inside face when the swing arm is in the closed configuration, wherein one of the swing arm inside face and the main body inside face includes indents and the other one of the swing arm inside face and the main body inside face includes protrusions, the indents receiving the protrusions when the swing arm is in the closed configuration.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a back perspective view of a gondola shelving product and signage bracket, in an open configuration, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the gondola shelving bracket of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the gondola shelving bracket of FIG. 1 attached to gondola shelving;

FIG. 4 is a back perspective view of the gondola shelving bracket of FIG. 1, in a closed configuration and illustrating an alternative gondola shelf attachment locking mechanism;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of an open configuration illustrating the sign channel and the sign retention mechanism. Also illustrated is another gondola shelf attachment mechanism; attaching the bracket to a gondola shelving product guide wire according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the gondola shelving bracket of FIG. 5, in a closed configuration, with a product retaining device partially hung therefrom;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the gondola shelving bracket of FIG. 5, in a closed configuration, with signage and a product retaining device hung therefrom and a replenishment door (not numbered) in a closed position;

FIG. 8 is an exploded front perspective view of the gondola shelving bracket of FIG. 7 with the replenishment door open;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a signage configuration usable with the gondola shelving bracket of FIGS. 1 through 8 and illustrating the sign retention mechanism;

FIG. 10 is a front view of a product retaining device for hanging on the gondola shelving bracket of FIGS. 1 through 8;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the product retaining device for hanging on the gondola shelving bracket of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a double clip element for use on the product retaining device of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a side view of the double clip element of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the double clip element of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the double clips element of FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a side view of a clip/hook element for use on the product retaining device of FIG. 10;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a double hook element for use on the product retaining device of FIG. 10;

FIG. 18 is an exploded view of the double hook element of FIG. 17; and

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a product retaining device having various hanging elements disposed thereon, allowing support of products on both sides thereof, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a gondola shelving product and signage display system that allows both product and the signage to be projected into the store aisle for potential customers to view and purchase. The signage is placed at about 90 degrees to the aisle pathway, making it difficult for customers to miss. Product is prominently displayed in the aisle space and can be replenished quickly on a preloaded cartridge basis by store employees. The gondola shelving display system provides a flexible, low cost means to display smaller, highly profitable items. The gondola shelving display system can use various attachment mechanisms for attachment to the gondola shelving.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 4, a gondola shelving product and signage bracket 10 (also referred to as gondola shelving bracket 10 or simply, bracket 10) can include a mounting end 12, a main body 14 and a swing arm 16. The swing arm 16 can be hingedly connected to the main body 14 such that the swing arm 16 can move between an open configuration (FIGS. 1 through 3) and a closed configuration (FIG. 4).

The swing arm 16 includes a swing arm inside face 20 that is disposed adjacent to a main body inside face 22 when the swing arm 16 is in the closed configuration. The swing arm 16 include indents 24, typically two indents 24, that are formed along the swing arm inside face 20. The main body 14 includes protrusions 26, typically two protrusions 26, formed on the main body inside face 22. The protrusions 26 can fit into the indents 24 when the swing arm 16 is in the closed configuration. Signage 28 (see FIG. 9) can have two or more holes 30 formed therethrough. The protrusions 26 can fit through the holes 30 to secure the signage 28 above the bracket 10.

In some embodiments, the indents 24 can be formed entirely through the swing arm 16. In other embodiments, the indents 24 can be formed only partially through the swing arm 16. In other embodiments, the indents 24 and the protrusions 26 can be reversed, where the protrusions are formed on the swing arm 16 and the indents 24 are formed on the main body 14.

A latch 32 can be formed on a distal end of the swing arm 16. The latch 32 can fit into a slot 34 formed in the main body 14 to hold the swing arm 16 in the closed configuration. The latch 32 can, for example, include a tab 36 that can catch into and be released out of the slot 34 for moving the swing arm 16 between the closed and open configurations.

A replenishment door 38 can be attached to the main body 14 and can be moved between an open and closed position. In the open position, the user can slide a product display hanger 42 (See FIGS. 6 and 7) into a channel 40 formed in the main body 14. The channel 40 is formed between a sign retention portion 44 and a main bracket portion 46 of the main body 14.

The mounting end 12 of the bracket 10 includes a top plate member 41 extending from the back of the main body 14. Shelf hole tabs 43 are disposed from the end of the top plate member 41, facing downward. The shelf hole tabs 43 are designed to fit into holes 49 disposed along the edge of a gondola shelf 11. A shelf facing surface 45 can be disposed against a front face of the gondola shelf 11 and a bottom tab 47 can fit under the gondola shelf 11 to help prevent inadvertent lifting of the bracket 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 through 6, a gondola shelving product and signage bracket 50 (also referred to as gondola shelving bracket 50 or, simply, bracket 50) can be designed similar to the bracket 10 described above, however includes a different mounting end 12-1.

The mounting end 12-1 or the bracket 50 can include an angled back face 60 that can be placed on a front edge of the gondola shelf 11. A lower tab 62 can extend from the bottom of the back face 60 to be disposed under the gondola shelf 11 to prevent inadvertent lifting of the bracket 50. The back face 60 can be angled to match an angle of the gondola shelf 11 so that the main body 12 of the bracket 50 extends generally orthogonal to the shelf. A shelf guide wire 64 can extend through a hole 49 in the gondola shelf 11 and a protrusion 58 can extend from the main body 12 such that the protrusion 58 is adjacent to the shelf guide wire 64. When the swing arm 16 is moved to a closed position, a tab 52 extending from the end of the swing arm 16 can sandwich the shelf guide wire 64 between itself and the protrusion 58. A latch 54, extending from the tab 52, can fit into a hole 56 in the protrusion 58 to secure the shelf guide wire 64 therebetween, securing the bracket 50 in a desired position on the gondola shelf 11.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, a product display hanger 42 can include a loop 70 for fitting into the channel 40 of the bracket 10, 50. A hanger body 72 can extend from the loop 70 and can include a plurality of hanging elements, such as spring clamps 74 and hooks 76. The hanging elements can be removable attached to holes 78 formed in the hanger body 72. In some embodiments, the hanging elements can be permanently affixed to the hanger body 72. In some embodiments, the product display hanger 42 can be provided with a plurality of products already attached thereto, resulting in a simply attachment of a plurality of products onto the bracket 10, 50.

Referring now to FIGS. 12 through 15, the hanging elements can be double sided spring hooks 80. The spring hooks 80 can be formed from a first body portion 82 and a second body portion 84 that can interlock by sliding a tab 86 on the first body portion 82 into a slot 88 on the second body portion 84. The tab 86 can be designed to fit into the hole 78 in the hanger body 72 of the product display hanger 42. The first and second body portions 82, 84 can include protrusions 90 on each side thereof on an upper end. Clip members 94 can pivot on the protrusions 90 by positioning holes 92 of the clip members 94 about the protrusions 90. A urethane spring 96 can fit into recesses 98 on the clip members 94 and the body portions 82, 84 to allow the clip members 94 to resiliently open away from the body portions 82, 84. Once assembled, the urethane springs 96 are held securely in place in the double sided spring hooks 80.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 16, one or both sides of the double sided spring hooks 80 can be replaced with a hook member 100 to provide a hook hanger 102. The hook member 100 can attach to one of the body portions 82, 84 of the double sided spring hook 80, resulting in the hook hanger 102 having a spring hook on one side of the hanger body 72 and a hook member 100 on the other side of the hanger body 72.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, a double hook hanger 104 can have the hook member 100 on both sides thereof. It should be understood that these hook members are accessible on both sides of the hanger body 72, as shown in FIG. 19, for example.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A bracket assembly comprising: a main body; a mounting portion extending form a rear end of the main body; a swing arm hingedly attached to a front end of the main body, the swing arm movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration; a channel formed between a sign mount portion and a main bracket portion of the main body, the channel communicating with the front end of the main body; and a sign retention mechanism operable to retain a sign between a swing arm inside face of the swing arm and a main body inside face when the swing arm is in the closed configuration.
 2. The bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein one of the swing arm inside face and the main body inside face includes indents and the other one of the swing arm inside face and the main body inside face includes protrusions, the indents receiving the protrusions when the swing arm is in the closed configuration.
 3. The bracket assembly of claim 1, further comprising a replenishment door movable between an open position and a closed position, the open position permitting access to the channel from the front end of the main body, the closed position preventing removal of a loop end of a product display hanger.
 4. The bracket assembly of claim 1, further comprising a latch extending from a distal end of the swing arm, the latch fitting into a slot formed in the main body when the swing arm is in the closed configuration.
 5. The bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting portion includes: a top plate member extending from a rear end of the main body; shelf hole tabs disposed from top plate member, facing downward, wherein the shelf hole tabs are operable to fit into holes disposed along an edge of a gondola shelf; a shelf facing surface operable to be disposed against a front face of the gondola shelf; and a bottom tab operable to fit under the gondola shelf to help prevent inadvertent lifting of the bracket assembly.
 6. The bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting portion includes: an angled back face operable to be placed on a front edge of a gondola shelf; a lower tab extending from a bottom of the back face, the lower tab operable to be disposed under the gondola shelf to prevent inadvertent lifting of the bracket assembly; a shelf guide wire 64 extending through a hole in the gondola shelf; a protrusion extending from the main body such that the protrusion is adjacent to the shelf guide wire; a tab extending from a distal end of the swing arm operable to sandwich the shelf guide wire between itself and the protrusion when the swing arm is in the closed configuration; and a latch extending from the tab and fitting into a hole in the protrusion to secure the bracket assembly in a desired position along the gondola shelf.
 7. The bracket assembly of claim 1, further comprising a product display hanger having a loop end fitting into the channel and a hanger body portion hanging from the loop end.
 8. The bracket assembly of claim 7, wherein the hanger body portion includes a plurality of hanging elements.
 9. The bracket assembly of claim 8, wherein the hanging elements includes at least one of hooks and spring clips.
 10. The bracket assembly of claim 8, wherein the hanger body portion includes spring clips and the spring clips are resiliently opened against a force of a urethane spring.
 11. The bracket assembly of claim 10, wherein the urethane spring fits into recesses in a clip member and a body member of the spring clip.
 12. A bracket assembly comprising: a main body; a mounting portion extending form a rear end of the main body; a swing arm hingedly attached to a front end of the main body, the swing arm movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration; a channel formed between a sign mount portion and a main bracket portion of the main body, the channel communicating with the front end of the main body; a replenishment door movable between an open position and a closed position, the open position permitting access to the channel from the front end of the main body, the closed position preventing removal of a loop end of a product display hanger; a latch extending from a distal end of the swing arm, the latch fitting into a slot formed in the main body when the swing arm is in the closed configuration; and a sign retention mechanism operable to retain a sign between a swing arm inside face of the swing arm and a main body inside face when the swing arm is in the closed configuration, wherein one of the swing arm inside face and the main body inside face includes indents and the other one of the swing arm inside face and the main body inside face includes protrusions, the indents receiving the protrusions when the swing arm is in the closed configuration.
 13. The bracket assembly of claim 12, wherein the mounting portion includes: a top plate member extending from a rear end of the main body; shelf hole tabs disposed from top plate member, facing downward, wherein the shelf hole tabs are operable to fit into holes disposed along an edge of a gondola shelf; a shelf facing surface operable to be disposed against a front face of the gondola shelf; and a bottom tab operable to fit under the gondola shelf to help prevent inadvertent lifting of the bracket assembly.
 14. The bracket assembly of claim 12, wherein the mounting portion includes: an angled back face operable to be placed on a front edge of a gondola shelf; a lower tab extending from a bottom of the back face, the lower tab operable to be disposed under the gondola shelf to prevent inadvertent lifting of the bracket assembly; a shelf guide wire 64 extending through a hole in the gondola shelf; a protrusion extending from the main body such that the protrusion is adjacent to the shelf guide wire; a tab extending from a distal end of the swing arm operable to sandwich the shelf guide wire between itself and the protrusion when the swing arm is in the closed configuration; and a latch extending from the tab and fitting into a hole in the protrusion to secure the bracket assembly in a desired position along the gondola shelf. 